Monday, February 29, 2016

Based off Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments book series, Freeform, hopes to bring alive the world found in Clare's novels on television. The question is whether they can succeed?All I know is before there was the success of The Hunger Games (in both book and movie form) there was one other and perhaps more important book series and that was The Mortal Instruments. A series that even gained life as a movie already though others are saying it isn't a good movie. And though I haven't seen the movie out of feeling deeply that the actors for Jace and Clary look way off from what I imagined from the books, now with the TV series I can sigh a sigh of relief because this time around the actors do kind of look like what Jace or Clary would look like from the book series. Shadowhunters is available to watch on Freeform (http://freeform.go.com/), Tuesdays at 9/8c. A Freeform app is also available for those who use tablets like the Amazon Fire.

A Look So Far at Shadowhunters on Freeform S1, Episodes 1-4

In the series premiere called The Mortal Cup, I was already a little impressed by how the series creators chose to open with a showcase of the Shadowhunters as well as a very hot Isabelle (played by Emeraude Toubia).

Other than the accuracy to the characters, in the pilot we also got some nice use of effects where Clary was pointed out as being one of the few characters to see into the Shadowhunter world. And while these effects are more simplistic, they are enough to help the series develop. I liked seeing that.

What I didn't like seeing was Clary's actress (played by Katherine McNamara) being a little too whiny, but one could attribute this to being a natural cause and effect of Clary losing her mother which everyone knows happened in the books.

As I brought up on Twitter, on first episode watch the Shadowhunters cast brought medium to high-level acting performances. Certainly it is a mix when it comes to performances and here it is where I believe the success of the series lies, especially given how even when I noticed that the TV series incorporated some new twists not seen in the book series, eh, I still thought that was totally fine. Somehow they made them work in their favor, but truly the acting is where we would see the success of the series. Whether success is there to be had or not.

In The Descent Into Hell Isn't Easy (Episode 2), I have to say I was readily impressed. Valentine played by Alan Van Sprang was rightfully the prejudiced and cruel Valentine readers who read The Mortal Instruments series would know.

While In Dead Man's Party (Episode 3), we have further changes to what the books had yet it didn't stop the series from being entertaining and continue to develop its world.

Oh, and if you are wondering what I am talking about in terms of changes from the books. Well those are some small things with concern to Camille, the beautiful vampire. But again somehow those working on the TV series are actually making things up that do not totally deviate and even when they do they are made up for in other ways.

Finally with Raising Hell (Episode 4), I think this episode in particular was a decisive one. Here is where Katherine McNamara has grown into her role as Clary Fray. And even more so her interactions with Dominic Sherwood who plays Jace Herondale are quite important because they really show how great their possible romance could be.

But most important of all. I too have to agree with fans of the TV series and book series. Isabelle's one-liners are quite entertaining but more importantly Dominic Sherwood who plays Jace is also pretty fantastic given his great, great sarcasm. Something that was much seen in the books. I mean where would The Mortal Instruments series be without Jace's sarcastic nature? Or for that matter without warlock Magnus Bane?

A Traveling Book blog is having a Lady Midnight giveaway! It is for a pre-order of Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1) by Cassandra Clare, a Shadowhunters tote bag, and a lanyard. Ends March 1, 2016 and is open to those in the US.

Book Blog Giveaway Hops: Leap into Books Giveaway Blog Hop has begun now February 28 until March 7, 2016. Hosted by Bookhounds.

As per usual, through these book giveaway blog hops you can win the greatest treasure of all, books as well as gift cards.The notification for this giveaway blog hop comes courtesy of my followship of The Bookshelf Gargoyle.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Hey there! Here are the movies that are coming up in the future that have me thinking that these movies will be making waves, when and if people see them.First up is a movie that will be coming up in theaters pretty soon: April 22, 2016. That movie is The Huntsman: Winter's War. What is really interesting here is Emily Blunt as the Ice Queen.

Next we have a movie that Amazon recently notified me as having now on Amazon Video and that movie is Victor Frankenstein. A twist on the tale of Frankenstein and from what others are saying it is a movie with a great Steampunk affect. In any case, for those who watched Becoming Jane or X Men: First Class the actor here to watch is James McAvoy. Although, Harry Potter fans may yet rejoice in the fact that Daniel Radcliffe also stars in this.

Victor Frankenstein

Comes out on Home Video DVD or Blu-ray March 8, 2016.

You can also now watch the movie on Digital by renting or buying with Amazon Video.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Unfortunately this is only for UK residents but hey here is a notification. If you live in the UK and want a copy of this book. Lucky you. The Mile Long Bookshelf blog is giving away an ARC of Cassandra Clare's Lady Midnight! Ends February 27, 2016. [This is an off-site giveaway mention. This book giveaway is on another book blog.]

Thursday, February 18, 2016

In a world where the four elements rule as gods, the Gaias of Wind, Fire, Water and Earth determine the existence and fate of every man and woman. Threatening this seemingly perfect world this the Fourborn – a yet to be identified being born of all four races and the only one who has the power to set mankind free from it's elemental shackles.

Divinely chosen in the pending chaos is a guardian from each race. With the words of an ancient prophesy as their only guide, they must find and protect the Fourborn at all costs or risk losing everything they hold dear.

The worlds of Wind and Fire collide when Kofi and Lela find themselves caught up in an adventure of enormous proportions. Setting out on a mission that spans three lands, they must defy not only their Gaias and the prophesy but themselves in order to find the Fourborn while the dangers of an all consuming darkness takes shape around them.

Cassandra's Thoughts on Fourborn by Megan Futcher

First off I want to make it clear that as soon as I began reading Fourborn I was completely taken in by the characters. The world-building was also pretty good. Enough for me to envision it. The only thing is the character development lagged halfway through Fourborn. This lagging came in the form of me seriously wondering if Lela and Kofi were the same characters I had been first introduced to because there really was just enough of a disconnect that I was left wondering.

That aside, there were moments of me having enjoyed reading Fourborn. The journey for Lela and Kofi to get outside of their lands and learning to trust each other were perhaps the most fascinating moments of Fourborn. Yet, their personality changes coupled with noticeable grammar errors and too much detail in the writing, often times detracted from the reading experience. I would love to say Fourborn is a good book but I have to be honest and as a reader it truly felt very amateur.

Overall: Not good, not bad read Genre: Fantasy

Contains: Themes of multiculturalism

Jesse's Thoughts on Fourborn by Megan Futcher

Right from the start Fourborn introduced an interesting world, with characters who I liked and often related to. I enjoyed reading from the POV of characters of colour, as, unfortunately, such diversity isn't the norm. Additionally, the heavy elemental feel of this book also appealed to me. I really enjoyed Lela's character - particularly her strength in the face of adversity and position as an outsider - and I was able to become emotionally invested in Kofi to some extent. Futcher's world building was also quite engaging, and I enjoyed the direction she took with her pre civilized world. However, I have to agree with Cassandra that character development all but ceased for quite some time halfway through the book. Moreover, my main issue with Fourborn is that, despite a good and original narrative at its root, the writing could occasionally be clumsy and at times jarring, which detracted from my overall enjoyment of the novel. While Futcher does have a fascinating and unique ideas, her execution could do with a little more polishing. Like Cassandra, I can't wholeheartedly recommend Fourborn, though, for readers who want a unique story, and don't care too much for grammar mistakes, Fourborn could be a worthwhile read.

Overall:

Genre: Fantasy

About the Author

Megan Futcher was born into a family of dedicated bibliophiles. She is a proud introvert and some of her fondest memories are those of visiting libraries and local bookstores. In many ways, growing up she saw her library card as her best friend.

From the moment she was able to write a full sentence she began dabbling around with words, creating stories out of the fictional worlds and the characters that lived on in her imagination.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!Here is what I recommend this Valentine's Day in anime. I have created an Amazon store of all the anime I have seen with a romantic angle. Check it out and hopefully you find some new anime to try out.The Valentine's Anime Store Picks:http://astore.amazon.com/bookampmovi-20

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